Post by: kkc66 on September 30, 2014, 01:01:43 AM
Post by: buddy01 on September 30, 2014, 05:38:14 AM
Post by: cohoho on September 30, 2014, 06:33:54 AM
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on September 30, 2014, 06:41:05 AM
Post by: C-Money on September 30, 2014, 06:44:55 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on September 30, 2014, 06:46:42 AM
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on September 30, 2014, 06:54:46 AM
Post by: Rick on September 30, 2014, 08:06:12 AM
Boat dealers love to skimp on HP and put just enough trailer to get you down the road. It keeps the price attractive for guys that don't know any better.
I had an F150 on my 20' North River. It was a good match. The dealer tried to sell me a 115.
My 26' Duckworth has an F300. The dealer wanted to rig it with a 250.
Post by: MADMAX on September 30, 2014, 08:16:17 AM
I can't say enough good things about my old Hewes 22ft with the extended transom hardtop and Alaska bulkhead package, 150 Honda was plenty.
The only reason I sold it was I fish alone mostly and it was too much boat for one guy to launch and recover easily in crappy weather,,,, and I made 4 grand when I sold it from when I bought it.
Look at NW Marine and Sport in Pasco I bought 2 boats from them and was pleased.
Post by: lokidog on September 30, 2014, 08:58:07 AM
I'm not a stickler on preferred brand, though I was looking at replacing our Alumweld 19 with a Hewescraft 20, not another Alumaweld.
You won't be disappointed with either the 20 or 22' extended transom outboard models. A 150hp engine will be plenty of engine for either boat, even with a hardtop (I have a 21' Trophy with a 150, it is a heavier boat than the aluminums and have never had any need for more Hp).
Consider a hard top model, canvas sucks,
Aluminum boats ride rough! There is no getting around that unless you get a really big one. Most boating conditions on the sound or coast will limit your top speed to 25 mph or so unless you only go out on the nicest days, even deeper V boats are rough riders. I like the slightly flatter hulled boat because it gets better fuel economy, maybe not a big deal for the once or twice a month fisherman but at 3500 milea a year, a 10% increase in economy adds up. They also tend to be more stable for fishermen moving from side to side.
Capacity. Aluminum boats have a much lower passenger capacity rating than a comparably sized fiberglass boat. Be sure the boat you get has the capacity for how many people you think you might have. From experience, this load rating is substantially lower than what the boat can actually handle but that's what the Coast Guard looks at.
Be sure to get trim tabs. I also like the boats that have the windshield farther forward as this seems to give better front to back weight distribution since most companies insist on putting the gas tank toward the stern.
If buying new, consider OR as most dealers will sell you the engine and rigging costs seperately from the boat/trailer which will save $1000 or so in sales tax.
Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me with any additional questions
Post by: NRA4LIFE on September 30, 2014, 09:09:46 AM
Post by: Blacklab on October 01, 2014, 07:04:30 AM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on October 01, 2014, 07:12:18 AM
Post by: gasman on October 01, 2014, 06:30:03 PM
For a boat the size you are looking at, hard top, stay away from canvas. 150 HP and you will have more then enough power.
After all my research and look at all the different brands, Raider and Hewes were on top. and Alumaweld and River Hawk were on the bottom. To me the Alumaweld was not up to the standard as the Hewes and Raider and the River Hawk had crappy craftsmanship, the welds were crap. I could have done a better job welding them, and lots of the welds looked as thou they had a grinder taken to the, to clean them up :bdid:
Off Shore bracket would give you plenty of fishing space on the deck :fishin:
Good luck and have fun shopping :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:
Dont bother with the Sportsmens show, Just go to Tom and Jerrrys and look at what you want there.
:twocents:
Post by: kenzmad on October 01, 2014, 08:54:02 PM
Post by: C-Money on October 02, 2014, 05:27:36 AM
Post by: cohoho on October 02, 2014, 08:28:10 PM
Granted mine isn't a plastic boat ride, but for an Aluminum, I have not been in a smoother riding 23 ft metal boat with 225 Honda... No manufacture installed suspension seats for a reason.... lol... I like Aluminum as my motto is - "Docks Fear Me".... Besides for the same size boat, alum is lighter to trailer, easier on fuel, less HP for performance and easy to take care of... But you do sacrifice ride difference. It all depends upon what is best for you... Get the biggest motor you think you need then add 50hp... As there was a need this year in my boat for those extra HP - Buoy 10 when the weather got bad and we cross the bar slightly later than we should have- extra power was calming coming out of the bottom of waves!!!! :yike: Under powered would have sucked really bad!
Can't drive fast in most salt, but sooner or later it flattens out and you want to put the hammer down and run in....... :chuckle:
I agree with Gasman, those River Hawks looks like the welds were done by me, and I do not weld!!